Coast Guard Remembers Former Crewman's Actions, 31 Years Later - Benbrook, TX
N 32° 40.743 W 097° 27.221
14S E 644978 N 3616763
WFAA (Channel 8) in Dallas, TX reported in 2011 that the US Coast Guard was to name one of their cutters for William Ray Flores, a heroic young man who died at the age of 18, saving others after his ship collided with a tanker.
Waymark Code: WMJ2ND
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/12/2013
Views: 3
The USCGC William Flores was commissioned in Tampa, FL on November 3, 2012. Flores himself is buried near the front gate of Benbrook Cemetery. The original article was as follows:
by MONIKA DIAZ
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Updated Monday, Nov 28 at 11:01 PM
BENBROOK — It's a picture frozen in time; a reminder of a lost son.
"Every day, every day, every day, you know we think about him," said Julia Flores. "Every time we see his picture, or we get together, we miss him."
It's been 31 years since Julia and Robert Flores learned that their son, William "Billy" Flores, a U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice, made the ultimate sacrifice. He was 18 years old.
"That was the kind of boy he was," Robert Flores said. "He was always ready to help his friends."
He died saving them.
In January of 1980, Flores was on a Coast Guard cutter when it collided with a tanker near Tampa Bay, Florida. While some of the crew abandoned ship, Flores stayed behind. He helped trapped and injured shipmates.
Twenty-three men died that day, but 27 survived. Many of those can credit Billy Flores.
"Our family, we don't want them to forget him," Robert Flores said.
The Coast Guard didn't forget either.
It is naming its new Sentinel-class boats after its heroes. This week, it plans to honor Flores with the launch of its third fast response cutter.
"We really appreciate that," Robert Flores said. "There's no words that can express our feelings."
The ship will be tested in the next several months and is expected to be commissioned at a later date. It's an honor the Flores family hopes to witness.
It's a ship designed for missions — from security to search and rescue — that will carry the name of their son and his legacy.
"That's a real hero, when I see that picture," Robert Flores said. "That's a real hero."
Type of publication: Television
When was the article reported?: 11/28/2011
Publication: WFAA - Channel 8 (Dallas)
Article Url: [Web Link]
Is Registration Required?: no
How widespread was the article reported?: local
News Category: Society/People
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